Blade Dancer by S.L. Viehl

Blade Dancer by S.L. Viehl

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Jory Rask is a professional shockball player. The fastest runback in the game, she is loved across Terra. But Jory Rask has a secret that she's lived with for twenty-four years. In a xenophobic world that despises aliens, she is not quite human...
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Really enjoyed this book. Having read both Viehl's 'BioRescue' series and just finishing her 'Stardoc' series probably added to my enjoyment. I had a lot of background knowledge of Jorenian customs as well as knowledge about the war between the League and the Hsktskt. It was fun to see the things that tied into the 'Stardoc' series.

Glad that I took the time to enjoy this book. I really hope that Viehl has some future plans for us to visit this universe again. I would be very sad to know that we will never again travel along on an adventure with any of the characters found in these series again.



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Dream Called Time (Stardoc #10) by S.L. Viehl

Dream Called Time by S.L. Viehl

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Dispatched to investigate an unidentified ship that has emerged from a mysterious rift in space, Cherijo discovers technology far more advanced than anything she's ever seen. Before she can unravel the alien ship's mystery, Cherijo's own ship is sucked into the rift and transported through time. Unless she can find a way to reopen the rift, they will remain trapped in another time. And Cherijo will never see her family-which she's only just been reunited with-again...

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Overall this was a series that I really enjoyed. Some twists and turns along the way that I did not like, but overall a great read.

This last books was a nice wrap up of the series. Maybe not exactly what I was expecting, but still a nice way to wrap everything up (and possibly leave an opening for a new series?)

I can say that this is an author who will now have my attention with everything that she publishes.



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Crystal Healer (Stardoc #9) by S.L. Viehl

Crystal Healer by S.L. Viehl

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Genetically engineered interstellar surgeon Dr. Cherijo Torin, her husband Duncan Reever, and a handpicked crew journey to the planet oKia to locate a strange black mineral that is the source of an intergalactic epidemic. When one of the crew members becomes infected, his body slowly begins to crystallize. While Cherijo races to save the crew member, mercenaries arrive in the oKia system, wanting Cherijo's genes-and her near immortality. It will take all of her abilities to elude the mercenaries and discover the black crystal's secrets before it's too late.

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This book was slow compared to the others in this series. Not a lot of action, too much scientific jargon and sadly an ending that I did not like much.

As much as I disliked 'Rebel Ice' and the plot twist that the author introduced in that book, I have to say, that I was disappointed with the ending of this book. I suppose that Jarn has grown on me and that her opinion/view of Cherijo has influenced me a bit, but I was sad to see how the author ended this book.

I am not too sure that I am going to be pleased with the next book and am wondering if the ending of this series is going to be a disappointment for me. I suppose that there is only one way to find out...........



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Omega Games (Stardoc #8) by S.L. Viehl

Omega Games by S.L. Viehl

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Dr. Cherijo Torin faces a different kind of epidemic�a mysterious black crystal spreading like cancer throughout the galaxy. The hunt for information leads Cherijo to the planet Trellus, whose inhabitants exhibit excessive paranoia and anger, taking out their frustrations in the Omega Dome in simulated combat against battle drones. But someone is killing victims outside the arena, and Cherijo believes the black crystal infection is responsible for this horror

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So Jarn and Duncan find themselves once again caught in the middle of trying to save a world when they are lured to and stranded on a planet where a creature is killing people by taking over their bodies and leaving behind nothing but their skins. The action was constant and interesting. There were some new characters introduced that I liked a lot and the twist was interesting. Overall a good read.

My one complaint is the whole Cherijo/Jarn thing. I don't know anymore who I like the best. At first it was hard to think of Jarn as her own person, but now I am beginning to like her a little more and from her POV Cherijo was not such a wonderful person. But I really liked Cherijo before the author decided to 'kill' her off and give us this new character. So why am I now liking Jarn more and Cherijo less? Confusion!! Well maybe we will get some resolution in the next book since this series seems to be coming to an end soon.



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Plague of Memory (Stardoc #7) by S.L. Viehl

Plague of Memory by S.L. Viehl

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Dr. Cherijo Torin is not herself. With no memory of her past-or even of the man she loved-she sees herself as a different person and has no desire to remember who she once was. But Cherijo must remember if she's to develop a cure for the Hsktskt plague before their race becomes extinct.

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I started this book with a little trepidation as I so disliked the events in the last book which resulted in the 'new' Cherijo. I have to admit that I was not happy about the fact the Cherijo seemed to no longer exist and we had Jarn in her place.

Fortunately Viehl's writing makes up for any unhappiness I have about the twist and I found this book a good read. I even have to admit that by midway through the book I was beginning to like Jarn a little more.

The events of the book were as usual a quick paced, interesting story line. I very much look forward to seeing where Viehl plans to take the characters in her next book.



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Rebel Ice (Stardoc, #6) by S.L. Viehl

Rebel Ice by S.L. Viehl

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Dr. Cherijo Torin crash-lands on an ice planet whose population is on the verge of civil war. With no knowledge of her past-or even her identity-she becomes entangled in the encroaching conflict, unaware that her husband is moving heaven and earth to find her.

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I have to say that I did not enjoy this book nearly as much as the previous books in this series. The beginning of the book was very confusing as we are plopped down on a whole new world and it was somewhat difficult to understand the politics/dynamics of the various groups involved in the story.

The book got better about half way through when some of the bits and pieces started coming together, but overall I did not really like the guessing game of who Resa and Jarn really were. I did not like the 'new' Cherijo and I did not like the way that the book ended.

But I do love the series and I am very much looking forward to continuing it with the hopes that Ms. Viehl will redeem herself with the next installment.



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Eternity Row (Stardoc, #5) by S.L. Viehl

Eternity Row by S.L. Viehl

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Cherijo and her husband have found safety aboard the star vessel Sunlace. But they have promises to keep-promises that will endanger everything she ever fought for-including her solemn oath to protect life.

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And another great book in the Stardoc series. I really enjoyed riding along with Cherijo as she discovered more about herself and her origins. I am glad that I was able to read this book immediately after the previous one. Looking forward to much more in this series.



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Shockball (Stardoc, #4) by S.L. Viehl

Shockball by S.L. Viehl

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Cherijo Grey Veil is searching for a place where she'll be safe from the demented man who created her. But she soon finds that she can't just run from her past-she must destroy it...

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It has been quite a while since I last read a book in the Stardoc series. Maybe that was a good thing because I totally enjoyed this one. Wrapped up a lot concerning Cherijo's creation and ongoing problems with her 'father' as well as solidifying her relationship with Duncan. Love the new characters that were introduced as well as some old ones who returned. Looking forward to the next book as the group heads out into space. I really enjoy Viehl's writing and look forward to more adventures with the Sunlace crew.



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Afterburn (Bio Rescue #2) by S.L. Viehl

Afterburn by S.L. Viehl

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


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After driving their mutual enemy out of the Pmoc quadrant, the Allied League of Worlds gather for a peace summit on K-2, the homeworld of the underwater-dwelling 'Zangians. With the Bio Rescue team assigned to protect the delegates, Sub-Lieutenant Burn mu Znora's attention is placed on the daughter of one of the ambassadors, who is hiding a deadly secret-a secret that may alter the fate of four worlds.
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Great sequel to Viehl's Bio Rescue. I love this author. I enjoyed reading Burns story and wrapping up some of the events from the first book. Totally enjoyed it and looking forward to reading more by Viehl soon!



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Bio Rescue (Bio Rescue #1) by S.L. Viehl

Bio Rescue by S.L. Viehl

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


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A new interstellar adventure from the bestselling author of the Stardoc saga... Lieutenant Dair mu T'resa finds a new calling in life as an interstellar paramedic with a Bio Rescue team. But the entire project faces opposition from a lupine species with a hatred for native 'Zangians like Dair...

Lieutenant Dair mu T'resa heads a squadron of SEAL (surgically enhanced/altered lifeform) pilots responsible for the security of the quadrant containing her home world of Kevarzangia Two. She finds a new calling in life as an interstellar paramedic leading the first Bio Rescue team. But the entire project faces opposition from a lupine species with a hatred for native 'Zangians like Dair..

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I think that I might have mentioned before that I love

Viehl's Stardoc series. I was excited to read this one since it takes place on K-2 which is where Stardoc started out. I was not disappointed. This book was just as hard to put down as the Stardoc books. Totally enjoyed the characters. Love the wonderful descriptions that Viehl gives us of her non-human characters and loved the storyline. Looking forward to getting my hands on 'Afterburn' soon so that I can read more about these wonderful characters and this fabulous world that Viehl has created.



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Endurance (Stardoc #3) by S.L. Viehl

Endurance by S.L. Viehl


Synopsis

Colonel Shropana was willing to destroy the Jorenians just to capture Dr. Cherijo Torin for the Allied League of Worlds—so she felt little remorse for selling him out to brutal Hsktskt slave traders. But just as Cherijo made her escape, the man she once loved stabbed her in the back—and handed her over to the same slavers.

Alone, hated, and feared by her fellow slaves, Cherijo needs all her training to save those in need—a difficult task amidst the endless brutality of their captors, but a far better fate than being the League's guinea pig. As she struggles despreately to help those she can, Cherijo reminds herself that good doctors don't let personal vendettas stand in the way of duty. But then, most doctors aren't Cherijo Torin...

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Another great book in the Stardoc series. First I have to say that I have really enjoyed this series so far. I love the characters and have enjoyed the storyline.



I do have a couple complaints about this particular book. My major complaint was that I found Cherijo's continuous 'escapes' and throwing herself right into danger again to be a bit much. The first few times okay, but then it just got to be a bit mundane --happening again and again.



I did guess who the traitor was fairly easily and I was certain of the twist with Reever long before it was revealed.



Those things being said I would still recommend this series of books to any sci-fi fans and intend to continue to read the series and in fact am looking forward to starting the next one soon!


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Beyond Varallan (Stardoc #2) by S.L. Viehl

Beyond Varallan by S.L. Viehl


Dr. Cherijo is living the perfect life-if you think that finding out you're a clone, then being declared "non-sentient" by your father/creator is your idea of perfect.

Things could be worse. But when the Human League comes after her, with bounty hunters of every race trying to bring her in, Cherijo figures it can't get any worse...

Until someone begins stalking her dreams.

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this second book in the Stardoc series as much as if not more than the first book. In this book Cherijo is adopted by the Jorenian and finds a place on one of their ships after being rescued from K-2. She makes friends and explores her feeling for Duncan Reever who has tagged along for a ride. She also discovers that there is a killer on board who has the ability to invade her dreams and assault her when she is asleep.



Between running from the League, who are determined to capture her and return her to her parent, and trying to solve the mystery of who on board her new home is murdering her friends, Beyond Varallan is a non stop action book. The characters are beautifully developed and the author has really outdone herself with this next book in the Stardoc series. With an unexpected ending and a twist that makes it absolutely necessary to start the next book in this series right away the author has me hooked.


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Stardoc by S.L. Viehl

Stardoc by S.L. Viehl


Dr. Cherijo Grey Veil is fed up with her life on Earth and with her cold, domineering father, Dr. Joseph Grey Veil. So she takes the first off-planet medical job she can find: a post in the Trauma FreeClinic on Kevarzangia Two, a world colonized by 200 different alien species, where human beings are definitely in the minority. She has never treated an alien in her life, but she's a talented doctor, and figures she'll wing it.

Arriving on K-2, Cherijo finds that her scant knowledge of alien medicine is only the beginning of her problems. Her boss hates her, and other colleagues are mistrustful. She runs afoul of various local customs, in part because she's too impatient to follow the rules (much as she hates her arrogant father, she has a hefty share of his physician's ego). The colony's chief linguist -- a handsome but creepy human named Reever -- has an annoying habit of trying to invade her mind with his telepathic powers. And her father, furious at her precipitous departure, is doing everything he can short of kidnapping to get her back.

Despite these difficulties, Cherijo manages to surmount medical challenges and make friends. But just as she's beginning to feel at home on K-2, a mysterious epidemic strikes the colony. Desperately, Cherijo races against time to find a cure. But there are many forces arrayed against her: the hostility of the powers that be on Earth, the fear and anger of the bewildered colonists -- and a terrible secret in her own past, which the epidemic may force her to reveal.

If you're one of those people who likes real science in your science fiction, Stardoc is probably not for you. This is SF in the Star Trek vein, with universal translators, alien races that breathe the same air and eat the same food, and some vague discussion of "molecular structure modification" to explain space travel. But if you're willing to suspend your disbelief and enter into the spirit of the thing, Stardoc is a rousing good yarn, with plenty of plot twists, inventive scene-setting, and quirky characters to keep readers thoroughly entertained. The convincing medical details (drawn from Viehl's own trauma centre experience) help to ground the more fantastic aspects of alien physiognomy so that they don't seem totally off the wall, and Cherijo's tart first-person narration gives the story a nicely sarcastic bite.

Viehl takes on some serious themes, including the extreme xenophobia of Earth, which has led to the passage of restrictive species-ist laws, and the question of what exactly makes a being sentient. But mostly Stardoc is a fun adventure story, with an appealing heroine, a lot of action, a sly sense of humour, and wonders aplenty.

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Totally enjoyed this book. Love the main character and the events that take place throughout the book. Can not wait to start the next book in the series to see what happens next.


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